DAYTON, Tenn. — Jacob Wheeler, the 23-year-old from Indiana who made everyone notice him last week on Chickamauga Lake, has one thing that really bugs him.
He’s never caught a double-digit bass.
A fan asked Wheeler during his first B.A.S.S. Twitter chat what the biggest bass he’d ever caught was. The young man paused, then laughed.
“I can fib a little bit and say it was a 10-pounder, but it was actually 9-15,” Wheeler answered. “There was a tear in my eye when it didn’t go 10. I couldn’t believe it. I really wanted it!”
Read the rest of what Wheeler had to say in the Twitter transcript below. You can read transcripts from Twitter chats with other pros here.
Keep up with the latest bass fishing news and top Bassmaster Elite Series pros by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter.
Welcome to the #basschat, @WheelerFishing. Congratulations on your BASSfest win!
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
It’s great to be here! BASSfest was an unbelievable week!
How did you find the schools, what were you looking for on your graph? Were there 4-5 foot drops that were holding the fish?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I was looking for small groups of fish. On down imaging, there would be small pods of fish that aren’t scattered out, so that normally means they’re in the feeding mode.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
If limited to 5 rod/reel combos to fish entire season, what would they be?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
1. 7-11 extra heavy action Okuma TCS for all my flipping and punching needs with a 7:1 Okuma Helios
2. 7-3 Okuma TCS w/ 7:1 Okuma Helios Air will be my most versatile for spinnerbait, football head. That counts as 2.
3. 7-11 medium heavy power cranking Okuma TCS with 5:1 Okuma Komodo
4. 7-0 medium light Okuma Helios spinning rod for all my finesse tactics
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
Thanks for great answers and congrats on winning the first BASS Fest!
Was the “day off” weird for you? Do you think it helped you win?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
No, I don’t think it hurt or helped. It gave me time to regroup and rest. It’s a good physical break from competition.
Hi Jacob, congrats on your win! My question-With all your success, did you buy your first house yet?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I actually have! It took me a while. My first tournament, I won $100k, then I won $500k after that and moved out of my parents’ house. But I’m never home!
Adam Chase Jones @AdamChaseJones
Great job w the old hair jig! Can you give some insight on your setup for it and how you work that bait? Trailer?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Basically, I was throwing 14-pound fluoro on a 7-3 heavy action rod. You can fish that it erradically. A lot of times keeping that bait toward the bottom was key to getting bites. A lot of times keeping that bait toward the bottom was key to getting bites.
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
What was your favorite aspect of BASSfest?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Really, the off day was the coolest thing! It was like a halftime. It gave us time to visit with fans & let them know what we’re doing on the water. There were so many people there!
When fishing Largemouth during spawn season are they less likely to chase down a spinnerbait, crankbait etc.
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Most the time during spawn they want something to move slower; they’re not as aggressive as smallmouth. A Trigger X flutter worm or lizard-style bait, that’s when you slow down and fish those slower baits.
What type of structure are you looking for 1st when you go to a new body of water?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Summer bass stay on obvious points. So, points that extend in the river channel, anything with a point facing in current.
What’s your favorite lake to fish in summer and why?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Probably Champlain, the next stop on the Northern Opens. There are so many bags, largemouth & smallies, and big ones too.
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
Any thoughts toward the upcoming Northern Opens you’ll be competing in?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I’m really excited about Lake Champlain. I’ve been looking forward to BASSfest and Lake Champlain all year!
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
If limited to 5 baits to fish entire season, what would they be?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Rapala DT-6, Trigger X Goo Bug, Trigger X Spade Tail Worm on shaky head, Spro Frog and a 1/2 ounce black/blue jig
Where are you fishing this weekend?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I’ll go to Kentucky Lake. It’s similar to Chickamauga; fish will be off bank & I’ll be looking at my electronics.
Aw man thought you might be coming to Rayburn for our national open hosted by FLW and TBF
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I would love to be there if I could!
That be awesome we have one on lake fork if you like to come its July28 but we will be there the whole week before
What’s your favorite way to fish Geist during the summer?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Probably with a frog, shallow around matted grass. Later in the summer, it becomes all about current.
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
What was your favorite aspect of BASSfest?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
It gave us time to visit with fans & let them know what we’re doing on the water. There were so many people there!
Anna Claire Conrad @AnnaCConradAU
Which part of BASSfest do you think was most beneficial for newbies to the world of bass fishing?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
It was such a hands-on event! You could talk to your favorite anglers on Friday. There was access to all of the pros! You could get autographs before we went on stage. It was perfect for fans!
You’ve already accomplished a lot in your young career. What’s left on your career bucket list?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
The Bassmaster Classic has always been a goal, since I was 6 years old. I think qualifying is a goal of anyone who fishes!
How big was the biggest bass you’ve ever caught?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I can fib a little bit & say it was a 10-pounder but it was actually 9-15. There was a tear in my eye when it didn’t go 10.
That’s a heartbreaker.Congrats and good luck the rest of the season. Nice to see someone from my home state doing big things!
Obviously, you like Chickamauga. What other lakes are on your bucket list?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Lake St. Clair and Lake Champlain are my top two!
Anna Claire Conrad @AnnaCConradAU
Are you going to buy anything fun with your BASSfest prize winnings?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
I normally take my family on a vacation at the end of the year, so we’ll plan that!
What is a technique you still feel uncomfortable with?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Throwing a giant swimbait. We don’t throw those in Indiana so I don’t have a lot of experience with that.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Congrats on the W at Wheelerfest, I mean BASSfest. If you were trapped on a Bass fishing island 1 setup you have?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
A 7-3 Okuma TCS with 7:1 gear ratio Okuma Helios Air.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Thanks, best of luck to you rest of the season.
Jared Norris @jarednorris6989
Hey J. I was wondering why you chose to throw a hair jig on the chick instead of a typical football or silicone jig? Thanks.
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
It was something a little bit different. The swimbait was really the key player for the week, though.
What are your favorite lures for December and January? Where do you usually fish on a reservoir during the winter?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Old school Silver Buddy and a 3/8-ounce Outkast Tackle finesse jig in green pumpkin, and an X-Rap jerkbait where deep water accesses a shallow bar on the main lake.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Spinning or Casting? Mono or Fluoro? Topwater or Deep Cranking?
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Casting. Fluoro. Topwater. But you have to throw mono when you’re fishing topwater, so you’re messing with me.
Jared Norris @jarednorris6989
Hey J. I was wondering why you chose to throw a hair jig on the chick instead of a typical football or silicone jig? Thanks.
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
It was something a little bit different. The swimbait was really the key player for the week, though.
Angles & Lines @AnglesandLines
For beginner anglers out there, what is your favorite/go-to way to rig a soft plastic? thanks!
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
A Trigger X Flutter Worm rigged weightless on a 4/0 EWG VMC hook. You’ll get more bites when it’s weightless.
Thank you for joining us @WheelerFishing! And good luck the rest of this season in the Opens!
Jacob Wheeler @WheelerFishing
Thanks you guys so much! It was a lot fun, so we’ll definitely have to do it again!